Occupant carrying roundabout



Feb. 24, 1953 N. BARTLETT 2,629,593

OCCUPANT CARRYING ROUNDABOUT I Filed Sept. 50, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1fivenfor Z Norma/7 Bart/eat .H

Feb. 24, 1953 N. BARTLETT 2,629,593

OCCUPANT CARRYING ROUNDABOUT Filed Sept. 50, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2fnv'enior Norma/1 Ban/ea: Z 5 @wg MVQM' flffornggs Feb. 24, 1953 N.BARTLETT 2,629,593

OCCUPANT CARRYING ROUNDABOUT Filed Sept. 30, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inv-enior Norma/2 Bart/em: 19 QM W M u Feb. 24, 1953 N. BARTLETT 2,629,593

OCCUPANT CARRYING ROUNDABOUT Filed Sept. 50, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 w w wflay A -59 F /Z4 /34 56 /37 /33 54 /35//Z6 Feb. 24, 1953 N. BARTLETT2,629,593

OCCUPANT CARRYING ROUNDABOUT Filed Sept. 30, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 fnv'en in r t Nor/nan Ban/e212: fig v Patented Feb. 24, 1953 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE 21 Claims.

This invention relates to amusement rides and particularly to rides ofthe kind known as roundabouts where one or more passenger carrierspursues a continuous circular course or an oscillating course about acircular path.

Fundamentally, the present invention provides an annular support, in theform of a ring or the like, the support having fixed therealong a seriesof passenger-accommodating seats or compartments. The annular support isassociated with central supporting means in such manner that itsrotative or oscillative movements may be accompanied by concentricrising and falling movement thereof, so that the actual path of theseats or compartments may be an undulating one with a wide range ofselective variation as to pitch, amplitude and velocity.

In one form, the amusement ride of the present invention is of thegeneral type shown in United States Letters Patent to Joseph D. Guinn,No. 1,186,185, dated June 6, 1916, although the ride shown and describedin the aforesaid Letters Patent could not be operated successfullybecause of inherent instability and for various other reasons.

A clearer understanding of the novel underlying principles of thepresent invention will be had from a study of the embodiments thereofdescribed in detail hereinafter and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. stood, however, that the examples set forth are merelyillustrative and that many modifications and variations may beintroduced without departing from the teachings of this invention, the

spirit and scope of which is limited only as de- Fig. 5 is across-sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary end elevational view, partly in cross-section,showing a modified passenger seat or compartment and a modifiedsuspension or support therefor;

It is to be under- Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of theseat or compartment of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the seat or compartment of Figs. 6 and'7; and

Fig. 9 is a general side elevational View of apparatus for loading andtransporting the central structure or tower of an amusement ride.

Throughout the several figures of the drawing like characters ofreference denote like parts, and the number 10 designates a central basemember to which is fixed an upwardly extending vertical post I l, andthe top of post H has fixed thereto a stationary winding drum E2, thefunction and operation of which will be described later herein.

A rotatable cage which comprises arm-supporting and rotating means isdesignated generally by the numeral IS in Figs. 1 and 2 and comprises,in the form there shown, upper and lower bearing or hub elements 11 and!8. A plate or platform structure is fixed to post H and suitablebracing may extend between platform 20 and base H) as indicated at 2| inFig. 1. The lower bearing I8 of cage 15 rests upon platform 20, therebeing an intervening thrust ball bearing as indicated at 22.

There is likewise a thrust ball bearing directly above upper hearing I!as at 23 and an upper retaining collar is fixed to post H as at 24 inFig. 1. An annular plate 26 is fixed to upper bearing l1, and a sprocket21 or other drive wheel is fixed to lower bearing l8. Brace rods orstruts may engage between plate 26 and sprocket 21 as indicated at 28 inFig. 1.

Plate 26 has arranged about its upper margin a plurality of pairs ofspaced bearings 30 which give pivotal support to a series of radiatingarms 3|. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 2 that arms 3! are in theform of triangular trusses and and that the bearing portions at theirinner end are of substantial axial extent to give the arms stiffness ina horizontal direction.

A rigid passenger seat or compartment supporting ring is designated inFigs. 1, 2, and 3 and may be tubular as there shown. For portabilityring 35 is preferably made in a series of arcuate sections which may beassembled by means of end flanges and the usual bolt and nut or screwconnections. In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the outer end of eacharm has a pair of chain portions 36 which extend downwardly to ring 35and are attached thereto at spaced points along ring 35 as appears bestin Fig. 2.

'Zll as at 46.

It will be noted that the joint lifting force of each pair of chains 36is as nearly vertical as the arcuate paths of the outer ends of arms 3|permit, and the manner in which ring 35 is supported from the outer endsof the several arms 3| is such that ring 3| maintains concentricity withpost I I in all phases of operation of the ride and despit unequal orunbalanced loading and other potentially disturbing conditions.

A series of cables, preferably but not necessarily of the usual strandedsteel wire type, are each secured at their upper ends to winding drum I2near the upper edge thereof and connect at their lower ends with theseveral arms 3| at predetermined points along the arms. The cables aredesignated 38 in Fig. 1, and it will be noted that the effective leverarm of the lifting force of the cables depends on where the lower endsof cables 38 attach to arms 3 I.

Reference has previously been had to sprocket 27 which is fixed forrotation with cage I and a vertical drive shaft therefor is'designated39in Fig. l and has bearing'near its upper endiin plate The upperend ofshaft 39 is'provided with a sprocket 4I,and a chain 42 establishesdriving connection between sprockets 21 and 4|. The lower end of driveshaft 39 has driving connection with a motor 43 which has a horizontaldrive shaft by means of bevel gear- "ing (not shown) in a casingdesignated 44. Motor 43 is reversible and the manner of its use inoperating the ride will bedescri'bed morefully later herein.

The passenger seats employed in th particular embodiment illustrated inFigs. 1 through 5 appear best in Fig. 3. .As previously stated,portability is an important consideration and the seats shown in Fig. 13are so arranged as to be readily secured to or detached from ring 35.Each seat may comprise apair of.upper angular side rails 50, a top crossrail 5|.and an intermediate cross rail 52, a pair of spaced bottomangular side rails 53 and a bottom cross rail.54.

These several elements are rigidly. securedto each other preferably bywelding andside brace rods 55 extend from upper cross rod'5I tointermediate cross rod 52 andfrom .the latter to bottom crossrod 54.Besides rigidifying the structure, the brace rods 55 serve as arm rest.means and passenger restraining means. Suitable back rest, seat'bottom,and floor panel means of any kind may extend between the spaced siderails 58 and 53 to complete the seat proper.

Pads or seats '69 are weldedatvarious points along ring 35, and thebottoms of upper angular side rails 58 are provided with depending lugs6 I, which extend through openings in pads 60 and may ,be securedtherein by means .of ,driven tapered pins or the like. "Brace rods 64are hinged at their lower ends to the lower side rails 53 as ,at

'65 and have downwardly projecting endiormations 67 which pass throughlugs68 fixedtoring 35. The end formations '6? may likewise .be pinned orcotter keyed against separation from lugs 68.

A safety bar device which prevents a passenger from falling from orattempting to leave his. seat excepting under proper conditions includesa pair of spaced side rails Ill which are held spaced and rigid withrespect to each other by cross brace rails II, I2, 73, and 14. The lowerends of the side rails "If! of the safety bar are hinged to outwardextensions of the lowerrigid cross rail 64 of the seat proper as shownin Fig. 3.

Control means for safety bar lil' are shown ,in

. guide rod- 86 may be fixed at one end to cross rail 81 which is fixedto tube and likewise to the upper angular side rail members 50 of theseat. A compression coil spring 90 encircles spring rod -86 and actsbetween cross rail 8'! and a suitable internal seat in rack bar 8| toyieldably urge the safety bar means to the open extended position-shownin'Fig. 3. Such opening movement may be limited by a flexible chain 9|shown in Fig. 3 as extending between the outer end of tube .80 and a lugformed on collar 83.

'Referring particularly to Figs. land 5, a pair of bearing lugs 94 arefixed to the exterior of tube '30. A pivot' pin 95 is rotatable inbearings and has fixed thereto a latch member 96 and apair of spacedoperating arms 91. The operating arms 91 carry a pivot pin 98 whichengages in aislot 99 formed me link I00 which is pivoted at its oppositeend to an armature Ifil associated with an electromagnet I82. Latch 86is normally urged to its latching position in engagement with rack bar8| by an extension coil spring I05 which acts upon operating arms 37,and armature IEII is normally urged to its outward .position by arelatively lightextension coil spring I96 which acts against the outerend of link I00.

By virtue of the arrangement just described, armature I [ll has acertain amount of free movement to the left as viewed in Fig. 4 upon itsbeing energized so that it overcomes its initial enertia and reaches amore eflicient rangeof operation of the solenoid before link I00 beginsto rotate operating arms 37 to releaselatch 96. When a passenger hasbeen seated, either the passenger or the operator or attendant of theride moves the safety bar In pivotally to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3,until cross bar 72 is fairly close to the upper portion ofthe passengersbody, latch 96 automatically retaining the bar against outward movementregardless of the degree to which the safety bar is moved, thusaccommodating passengers of various size.

The safety bar cannot then be released, excepting by energization ofelectromagnet I02, but this is underthe direct control of the rideoperator at a remote or central operating. point. The operator will, ofcourse, release the latches by energizing the various solenoids I02 onlywhen the ride is stopped in a safe position, and upon such energizationall of the various safety bars 'IIlwill automatically. open by operationof springs the control of a single remote operating switch.

A casing I If] for the latch mechanism may be removably secured to apair of end wall elements I I I and I I2. In Fig. 3 the numeral I I3designates a panel which extends across the front of and between theside rails 10 of the safety bar to enclose an conceal the lower portionof the passenger compartment.

The operation of the ride thus far described and illustrated in Figs. 1through 5 is as follows. After the passengers are. aboard and the safetybars II! have been closed, the operator closes a switch to energizemotor 43 for operation in one direction and oscillation of the arms 3|in such direction causes cables 38 to wind helically upon fixed drum I2.At the beginning this winding is produced entirely by the torque ofmotor 43, and it is at a relatively slow rate.

After a certain amount of winding in one direction, the operatorreverses motor 43, and the arms 31 are oscillated in the oppositedirection. The first part of this reverse oscillation is assisted by thegravitational pull of arms 3|, ring 35, and the seat and passenger load,all of which tend to unwind the cables 38 from drum I2.

The return oscillation is thus slightly more rapid and, if the operatorapplies approximately the same amount of reverse motor impulse as in thefirst oscillation, the reverse winding of the cables on drum I2 will beto a greater degree than during the first oscillation. This build-up isprogressive so that each succeeding oscillation attains a greater speedand is of greater amplitude and carries ring and the passengers togreater heights, even though motor 43 may be capable of exerting only asmuch force as in the first relatively slow and shallow oscillation.

Ultimately the arms 3| and the ring 35 with its passenger seats mayreach approximately the altitude indicated by the dot-and-dash lineshowing in Fig. 1, all within moderate and practicable power requirementlimits. To operate in this manner, a fixed drum of substantial diametermust be employed. The circ mference of the drum must be at least greaterthan the maximum horizontal arcuate swing of the arms and ring means asat H9 in Fig. 1 but in the degree of oscillation now contemplated thebrushes are unnecessary and a mere fiexible conductor connectionsuffices.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6. '7, and 8 arms l2!) correspondto the arms ill of the first described embodiment and the centralsupport, winding drum, cables and oscillating drive means may all bejust as described in connection with the first described embodiment andas illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. In the present embodiment a ring I2Icorresponds to ring 35 of Figs. 1, 2, and 3, but in place of the chainsuspension between arms 3! and ring 35 a C-shaped arm I22 is pivoted tothe outer end of each arm I23 as at I23.

The outer ends of arms 822 are pivoted, as at I24, to lugs 125 fixed toring I2I. Arms I22 are preferably constructed as rigid triangulartrusses, when viewed at right angles to Fig. 6, so that the bottom endsthereof comprise a pair of fairly widely spaced coaxial pivots whichengage ring l2! at spaced points therealong.

It is to be understood that, if desired, the C- shaped arm suspensionmay be substituted for the chain suspension without more, but in theembodiment illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 a further modification ispresent in that the pas-- seng-ers are in cars or the like which movealong ring IZI. Ring I2! is provided with a series of rigid brackets I26which support a pair of rails or tracks I21.

The passenger-carrying means may comprise a train of articulated carsor, as in the instance shown by way of example, may comprise acontinuous rigid annular structure which is rotatable on rails I21 andis designated generally by the numeral I28 in Figs. 6, 7, and 8.

The rotatable structure I23 may comprise a circular series of end to endbase members I29, each having inner and outer vertical bars or rails I30and I3I, respectively, at its inner and outer rear corners. The basemembers I29 may be detachably secured to each other in any desiredmanner. Each pair of bars I3t-I BI is connected by a transverse archedupper rail I32 and a longitudinal central rail I33 is fixed to crossrail I32 and extends forwardly therefrom. The cross rails I32 havecentral rearwardly facing socket portions I34 and the forward end ofeach longitudinal rail I33 is detachably lodged in the socket member I34of the section immediately ahead and secured by means of a pin I35.

Each pair of vertical rails I33, I3I together with their rigid forwardlyextending central rail I33 rigidly support further arched cross railsI36, I31 and I38 which terminate in side rails I39 to form a sort ofcanopy over the passenger seat, the latter being designated I 49 inFigs. 6 and 7. At the forward end of each base section I29 there is aninner vertical rail MI and a series of horizontal rails I42 extendlongitudinally between forward vertical rail MI and rear vertical railI30 to form a continuous barrier. At the. outer side of each base memberI29 a rigid vertical rail I43 is located somewhat to the rear of theforward end of the base member and tubular horizonta1 rail members I44are fixedly connected at their opposite ends to vertical rail I43 andthe rear vertical outside rail I3I.

A gate element to serve as a closure for the passenger entrance openingthus formed comprises a vertical bar I 15 having a series of rear wardlyextending horizontal bars Hi5 fixed thereto. The horizontal bars Mtextend into the tubular rails I44 and act as pistons. Extension coilsprings I l-l normally retract the rods 136 but the application of airpressure projects the rods I 36 and. closes the gate after passengershave entered. Air pressure may be applied. to a central fittingcommunicating with the tubular members ass of all of the passengercompartments and in 'Z the numeral Hi8 designates what comprise akey-operated relief valve to permit opening the gate of a compartmentonly by an authorized attendant.

It will. be noted from a consideration of Fig. 6 that the lower portionof the rotatable structure I28 is provided with a series of pairs ofwheels 52 which roll on tracks I2? and the manner in which rollingmovement of the rotatable structure along the trackwa-y is attained andcontrolled will now be described, reference being had particularly tothe bottom plan view, Fig. 8.

One or more of the pairs of wheels E52 of the rotatable structure arefixed as to the axle designated H54 in Fig. 3, the latter being freelyrotatable in bearings !55 carried at the base of the rotatablestructure. The outer of the pair of wheels I62 may be of slightlygreater diameter than the inner wheel to eliminate the necessity for adifferential mechanism. A clutch element 53 is slidably keyed to axleI5i and a mating clutch element it? is loose on axle 554 but isrestrained against axial movement by a thrust collar 53. Clutch elementi5? is freely rotatable in one direction but is restrained. againstreverse rotation by a pawl 239 which is pivoted to the bottom of the carin any desired manner and engages ratchet teeth ltll which are formed ina face of clutch element l5l'.

Hi8 in an upward direction as viewedin Figs 8 which is in a directionradially toward the. center of the ride. Arm I65 may have a pin-I or thelike for urging clutch element I56 into. driving engagement with clutchelementl51. Plate I61 thus acts as. a centrifugal weight element forcontrolling the condition of clutch I56, I51. Below certain speeds,which may be determined and varied by an adjustment I'II, spring I68maintains clutch element I56 inclutchingengagement while above thepredetermined speed centrifugal force on plate I6? causes arm IE5 tomove radially outwardly of the center of the ride .whereby the clutchelements. become disengaged.

The. operation of the wheel and clutch mechanism of Fig. 8 is asfollows; Asring I2! oscillates successively in forward. and reversedirecoscillation of ring I 2I, the wheels l.52 are not locked since pawlI 59 rides over the teeth of ratchet I63 in this direction. Accordingly,as the oscillation of ring I2I reverses, the wheeled structure I28continues to roll forwardly on tracks I21.

Thus, each successive forward oscillation of ring I2I imparts a forwardimpulse to the wheeled structure I28, and its forward velocity builds upto the point where clutch element I56 releases due to the centrifugalforce of weight I61. This velocity is predetermined by the adjustment HIand when the velocity of wheeled structure I28 again falls below thispredetermined maximum, spring I68 automatically swings arm I65 to againengage the clutch elements I56 and I51.

Reference will now be had to Fig. 9 which shows apparatus and a novelmethod of loading and unloading the central structure or tower of a ridelike the one here under consideration whereby the same may be readilytransported from place to place on a vehicle trailer or the like. thenumeral I designates generally the central structure of the ride whichshall be referred to in this portion of the description as a tower. Thenumeral I'Iii designates the flat bed or floor of a trailer or similarvehicle.

In the loading operation, the trailer is moved to the relative positionshown in Fig. 9, the tower being still erect as shown in dot and dashlines. At this time a pair of distance bars I11 are temporarilypivotally attached at their opposite ends to the base of tower I15 andto the lower rear portion of trailer bed I16.

An erection lever is designated I80 in Fig. 9 and is now pivotallyattached to an upper portion of tower I15 as shown in dot and dashlines, the lower end of lever I60 being attached to an endless cable ISIwhich runs over a winch I82 and idler pulleys I 83 and I84. Lever I 86is preferably of A-frame design and its base portion has lateralprojections I36 which ride in a pair of channel shaped tracks I81 whichare fixed to trailer bed I16 and thus the lower end of lever I86 isconstrained to lineal horizontal movement.

Movement of the lower end of lever I80 either forwardly or rearwardly ontrailer bed I16 is In Fig. 9

:under the control of winch I82 which in the il- :lustrated instance ishand crank operated as indicated at I 30. However, the winch may bepower operated and arrangement may be made to operate the winch by meansof the ride operating motor 33 either by loading the latter on trailerbed I16 before loading the tower or otherwise.

The winch is now operated to pull operating lever I86 from the dot anddash line position of Fig, 9 to the full line position and thus tip thetower I15 to the full line position where wheels I90, which may be moreor less permanently associated with the tower structure, come to rest onbed I16. The wheels I 59 are then blocked at their front or right handsides as viewed in Fig. 9 and a block and tackle is connected to therear axle of the trailer and the base of the .tower I15 as shown in dotand dash lines at I92 in Fig. 9. The distance bars I '51 may then beremoved and the lever I35 may be disconnected from the tower and droppedto the bed of the trailer.

,The center of gravity of tower I15 is slightly to the right of wheelsiii-2'3 as viewed in the full line showing in Fig. 9 and thus paying outline on the block and tackle permits tower l5 to pivot on wheels I93until it reaches a hori 'ontal position whereupon wheels 9 reach trailerbed I 16. The tower is then moved forwardly on the trailer bed on thewheels I93 and I9 5 either manually or by use of winch I82, and thetower may then be secured for transportation in any desired manner.

In the alternative, the center of gravity of tower I15 may be arrangedto be to the left of wheels I96 as viewed in the full line showing inFig.'-9. Then the block and tackle I92 will be dispensed with and a jackmay be applied to the base of tower I15 for raising and lowering thesame from the full line position of Fig. 9 to a horizontal position.

A simple reversal of the foregoing procedure is employed in unloadingthe tower, excepting that blocks are first applied to the rear oftrailer bed I16 to limit horizontal rearward movement of wheels I 96 inthe unloading operation, the front blocks being applied to wheels I 96only after they have reached their full line illustrated position in thecourse of the unloading operation.

What is claimed:

1. In an amusement ride, annular passenger support, rotatable drivemeans including radiating arms extending to points generally above saidsupport, suspension means between the outer ends of said arms and.upport, said arms being pivoted'to said drive means for generallyvertical movement, a relatively fixed drum coaxial with and disposedabove said drive means, and

cables connected at one end with said drum for winding thereon and attheir other ends with said arms for pivotally raising the same uponwinding'of the cables on the drum due to rotation of the arms relativeto the drum.

2. In an amusement ride, an annular passenger support, rotatable drivemeans including radiating arms extending outwardly toward said support,connection means between the outer ends of said arms and said support,said. arms being pivoted to said drive means for enerally verticalmovement, a relatively fixed drum coaxial with and disposed above saiddrive means, and cables connected at one end with said drum for windingthereon and at their other ends with said arms for pivotally raising thesame upon Winding of the cables on the drum due to rotation of the armsrelative to the drum.

3. In an amusement-ride, an annular passenger support, rotatable drivemeans including radiating arms extending to points generally above saidsupport, suspension means between the outer ends of said arms and saidsupport, said arms being pivoted to said drive means for generallyvertical movement, a relatively fixed drum coaxial with said drivemeans, and cables connected at one end with said drum for windingthereon and at their other ends with said arms for pivotally raising thesame upon winding of the cables on the drum due to rotation of the armsrelative to the drum.

4. In an amusement ride, an annular passenger support, rotatable drivemeans including radiating arms extending outwardly toward said support,connection means between the outer ends of said arms and said support,said arms being pivoted to said drive means for generally verticalmovement, a relatively fixed drum coaxial with said drive means, andcables connected at one end with said drum for winding thereon and attheir other ends with said arms for pivotally raising the same uponwinding of the cables on the drum due to rotation of the arms relativeto the drum.

5. In an amusement ride, an annular passenger support, rotatable drivemeans including radiatvertical movement, and means for synchronously opivoting said arms to raise and lower said support while the arms arebeing rotated by said drive means.

6. In an amusement ride, an annular passenger support, reverselyrotatable drive means including radiating arms extending to pointsgenerally above said support, suspension means between the outer ends ofsaid arms and said support, said arms being pivoted to said drive meansfor generally vertical movement, and means for synchronously pivotingsaid arms to raise and lower said support while the arms are beingintermittently rotated in opposite directions by said drive means.

7. In an amusement ride, an annular passenger support, oscillating drivemeans having a generally vertical axis and including radiating armsextending to points generally above said support. suspension meansbetween the outer ends of said arms and said support, said arms beingpivoted to said drive means for generally vertical movement, and meansfor synchronously pivoting said arms to raise and lower said supportwhile the arms are being oscillated by said drive means.

8. In an amusement ride, an annular passenger support, rotatable drivemeans includin radiating arms extending outwardly toward said support,connection means between the outer ends of said arms and said support,said arms being pivoted to said drive means for generally verticalmovement, and means for synchronously pivoting said arms to raise andlower said support while the arms are being rotated by said drive means.

9. In an amusement ride, a rigid ring and passenger supporting meansdisposed thereabout, a rotatable member concentric with said ring andhaving a plurality of radiating arms extending to approximately theradius of the ring, and suspension means between the outer ends of saidarms and said ring, said arms bein pivoted at their inner ends forgenerally vertical pivotal movement, and means for synchronouslypivoting said arms to raise and lower said ring and for simultaneouslyrotating said ring by rotation of said rotatable member.

10. In an amusement ride, a rigid ring and passenger supporting meansdisposed thereabout, a rotatable member concentric with said ring andhaving a plurality of radiating arms extending outwardly toward thering, and connection means between the outer ends of said arms and saidring, said arms being pivoted at their inner ends for generally verticalpivotal movement, and means for synchronously pivoting said arms toraise and lower said ring and for simultaneously rotating said ring byrotation of said rotatable member.

11. In an amusement ride, an annular trackway, reversely rotatable drivemeans including radiating arms extending to points generally above saidtrackway, suspension means between the outer ends of said arms and saidtrackway, said arms being pivoted to said drive means for generallyvertical movement, means for synchronously pivoting said arms to raiseand lower said trackway while the arms and trackway are being rotated bysaid drive means, and passenger car means mounted on said trackway formovement therealong.

12. In an amusement ride, an annular trackway, reversely rotatable drivemeans including radiating arms extending to points generally above saidtrackway, suspension means between a the outer ends of said arms andsaid trackway,

said arms being pivoted to said drive means for generally verticalmovement, means for synchronously pivoting said arms to raise and lowersaid trackway While the arms and trackway are being rotated by saiddrive means, passenger car means mounted on said trackway for movementtherealong, and a unidirectional driving connection between saidtrackway and said car means whereby rotary movement of the trackwaycauses the car means to rotate with the trackway in one direction.

13. In an amusement ride, an annular trackway, reversely rotatable drivemeans including radiating arms extending outwardly toward said trackway,connection means between the outer ends of said arms and said trackway,said arms being pivoted to said drive means for generally verticalmovement, means for synchronously pivoting said arms to raise and lowersaid trackway while the arms and trackway are being rotated by saiddrive means, and passenger car means mounted on said trackway formovement therealong.

14. In an amusement ride, an annular trackway, reversely rotatable drivemeans including radiating arms extending outwardly toward said trackway,connection means between the outer ends of said arms and said trackway,said arms being pivoted to said drive means for generally verticalmovement, means for synchronously pivoting said arms to raise and lowersaid trackway while the arms and trackway are being rotated by saiddrive means, passenger car means mounted on said trackway for movementtherealong, and a unidirectional driving connection between saidtrackway and said car means whereby rotary movement of the trackwaycauses the car means to rotate with the trackway in one direction.

15. In an amusement ride, an annular trackway, reversely rotatable drivemeans including radiating arms extending to points generally above saidtrackway, suspension means between the outer ends of said arms and saidtrackway, said arms being pivoted to said drive means for generallyvertical movement, means for synchronously pivoting said arms to raiseand lower said trackway while the arms and trackway are being rotated bysaid drive means, passenger car means mounted on said trackway formovement therealong, drive means between said trackway and said carmeans for driving the latter through rotation of the arms, and meansresponsive to centrifugal force on the car means for interrupting saiddrive means when the car means reaches a predetermined velocity.

16. In an amusement ride, a rigid circular trackway and car meansmounted for movement thereabout, a reversely rotatable member concentricwith said trackway and having a plurality of radiating arms extending toapproximately the radius of the trackway, connection means between theouter ends of said arms and said trackway, said arms being pivoted attheir inner ends for generally vertical pivotal movement, and means forsynchronously pivoting said arms to raise and lower said trackway andfor simultaneously rotating said trackway by rotation of said rotatablemember.

17. In an amusement ride, a rigid circular trackway and car meansmounted for movement thereabout, a reversely rotatable member concentricwith said trackway and having a plurality of radiating arms extending toapproximately the radius of the trackway, connection means between theouter ends of said arms and said trackway, said arms being pivoted attheir inner ends for generally vertical pivotal movement, means forsynchronously pivoting said arms to raise and lower said trackway andfor simultaneously rotating said trackway by rotation of said rotatablemember, and a unidirectional driving connection between said trackwayand said car means whereby rotary movement of the trackway causes thecar means to rotate with the trackway in one direction.

18. In an amusement ride, an annular trackway and car means mounted formovement thereabout, reversely rotatable drive means including radiatingarms extending outwardly toward said trackway support, connection meansbetween the outer ends of said arms and said trackway, said arms beingpivoted to said drive means for generally vertical movement, arelatively fixed drum coaxial with and disposed above said drive means,and cables connected at one end with said drum for winding thereon andat their other ends with said arms for pivotally raising the same uponwinding of the cables on the drum due to rotation of the arms relativeto the drum.

19. In an amusement ride, an annular trackway and car means mounted formovement thereabout, reversely rotatable drive means including radiatingarms extending outwardly toward said trackway support, connection meansbetween the outer ends of said arms and said trackway, said arms beingpivoted to said drive means for generally vertical movement, arelatively fixed drum coaxial with and disposed above said drive means,cables connected at one end with said drum for winding thereon and attheir other ends with said arms for pivotally raising the same uponwinding of the cables on the drum due to rotation of the arms relativeto the drum, and a unidirectional driving connection between saidtrackway and said car means whereby rotary movement of the trackwaycauses the car means to rotate with the trackway in one direction.

20. In an amusement ride, an annular trackway and car means mounted formovement thereabout, reversely rotatable drive means including radiatingarms extending outwardly toward said trackway support, connection meansbetween the outer ends of said arms and said trackway, said arms beingpivoted to said drive means for gen erally vertical movement, arelatively fixed drum coaxial with and disposed above said drive means,cables connected at one end with said drum for winding thereon and attheir other ends with said arms for pivotally raising the same uponwinding of the cables on the drum due to rotation of the arms relativeto the drum, drive means between said trackway and said car means fordriving the latter through rotation of the arms, and means responsive tocentrifugal force on the car means for interrupting said drive meanswhen the car means reaches a predetermined velocity.

21. In an amusement ride, rotatable means ineluding an annular passengersupport, and reversely rotatable drive means therefor, a relativelyfixed drum coaxial with and disposed above said rotatable means, andcables connected at one end with said drum for winding thereon and attheir other ends with said rotatable means for raising the annularpassenger support upon winding of the cables on the drum due to rotationof the arms relative to the drum, said drum being of sufiicientdiamenter to raise the annular passenger support through substantiallyits full range of movement by a fractional winding of each of the cableson the periphery of the drum.

NORMAN BARTLETT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,186,185 Guinn June 6, 19161,331,206 Morgan Feb. 17, 1920 1,503,548 Moyer Aug. 5, 1924 1,987,376Stearns Jan. 8, 1935 2,424,692 Harshberger July 29, 1947 2,439,122 BakerApr. 6, 1948

